Switch on Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health (12 page)

HOW TO SWITCH ON YOUR BRAIN

The Seven Different Types of Thinking

Visual/Spatial

Musical

Kinesthetic

Logical/Mathematical

Intrapersonal

Linguistic

Interpersonal

The good news is that this balance can be restored very

quickly when you choose to become introspective and rumi-

nate in a positive, directed way.
14
The speed of the change in

how you feel and function is not just because of the balance

being restored between the DMN and TPN, but also be-

cause the brain functions in complex circuits that encompass

multiple brain structures and regions, so there is a positive,

cascading effect throughout the brain. This is, once again,

God’s grace in action.

Consequences of Toxic Thinking

Throughout this book, the resounding message is that nega-

tive thinking creates atypical responses in the brain, which

will result in atypical manifestations. Studies have clearly

demonstrated that people with a history of various types of

depression exhibit differences in the regions and circuits of

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Entering into Directed Rest

the brain associated with knowledge of socially acceptable

behavior (anterior temporal lobe) and the awareness of wrong

(subgenual region of the brain).15

Their thoughts and the choices they have made changed

their brain in a negative way so that instead of being con-

victed of wrong in order to change—which is positive—they

felt guilty and condemned, causing the positive to become

negative.16

Other studies dealing with obsessive compulsive disorders17

and schizophrenia18 show definite changes in the brain from

the negative to the positive when thinking is brought under

control. Some scientists even describe these neuropsychiatric

manifestations almost as though negative, toxic thinking

opens a gate that allows negative emotions to overwhelm

them. And because mind changes matter, this negative think-

ing changes the brain structure.

Patients with schizophrenia have decreased activity be-

tween their thalamus and prefrontal cortex, which affects

memory and behavioral flexibility. They also have incorrect

activity in their decision-making and emotional areas of the

brain. From studies of adolescents starting to show symp-

toms of schizophrenia, it appears the areas are overactive at

first from toxic stress reactions and then become damaged

and hypoactive. So if we don’t help our children and adoles-

cents manage stress, we are potentially causing brain damage,

which in turn leads to more serious problems.19

Other research shows that women who have suffered abuse

were 60 percent more likely to have a child with autism. The

researchers propose that the long-lasting effects of abuse on

women’s biological systems, such as the immune system and

stress-response system, are responsible for increasing their

likelihood of having a child with autism.20 These women

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HOW TO SWITCH ON YOUR BRAIN

were victims of toxic thinking and the stress it causes—and

the abuse will therefore impact the next generation as well,

and potentially the next three. This is why there are often

family histories of autism. I tell you this study to highlight

the responsibility we have in not only getting our own minds

right but also helping others, especially victims of trauma,

get their minds right.

Switch On Your Brain

Choosing to be focused and mindful and to activate your

DMN and your TPN in a balanced way by capturing your

thoughts will bring you back in alignment with God.

In my 21-Day Brain Detox Plan, I show you how to center

your attention on a single element, using my Switch On Your

Brain 5-Step Learning Process. When there is a pause in your

activity, a quiet state, that is a perfect time to connect to the

spiritual part of who you are. In this state your mind can begin

to understand what your spirit knows. You can position your-

self to let the Holy Spirit deposit truth and direction in your

spirit as you “trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean

not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge

Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5–6).

Through modifying our practices of thought toward a

more disciplined, focused, and reflective thought life, we can

build up healthy neural
real estate
that is better able to bring

our thoughts into captivity and deal with the variegated de-

mands of today’s modern world. Your mind can powerfully

and unexpectedly change your brain in positive ways when

you intentionally direct your attention. The most efficient

way to improve your brain is a daily step-by-step process—

a lifestyle of thinking your brain into better functioning so

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that it turns into whatever
you
expect it to be: “As he thinks

in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7).

Your mind, intellect, will, and emotions are always chang-

ing your brain in some way. Directed, disciplined, and focused

attention on the correct things is a major key to switching

on your brain.

1. We have all kinds of coordinated networks in our brains

that work together in an organized way, forming a con-

stant, intrinsic
chatter
in the nonconscious part of our

mind.

2. Our brains maintain a high level of activity 24/7. This

activity forms the brain’s inner life, with the default

mode network (DMN) dominating and becoming espe-

cially active when the mind is introspective and thinking

deeply in a directed rest or idle state.

3. As these networks function correctly, we shift into deeply

introspective and meditative states that increase our

intelligence and health.

4. When we switch back and forth between the various

networks—for example, when we have flexible and crea-

tive thinking—we are able to shift between thoughts

and capture and control them.

5. When we direct our rest by introspection, self-reflection,

and prayer; when we catch our thoughts; when we mem-

orize and quote Scripture; when we develop our mind

intellectually, we accelerate the default mode network

(DMN) and improve brain function as well as mind,

body, and spiritual health.

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HOW TO SWITCH ON YOUR BRAIN

6. The DMN is balanced by the task positive network

(TPN), which supports the active thinking required

for making decisions. The more balanced we are, the

more wisdom we apply in our thinking and decisions.

This action step of the TPN is necessary for effective

mind and brain change.

7. Miswiring of brain regions involved in the DMN that

leads to all kinds of ups and downs in the DMN may

even be part of disorders ranging from Alzheimer’s to

schizophrenia.

8. Toxic thinking produces this miswiring, which causes

increased activity in the DMN, resulting in a decrease

of activity in the TPN. This causes maladaptive, depres-

sive ruminations and a decrease in the ability to solve

problems. This makes us feel foggy, confused, negative,

and depressed.

9. Your mind can powerfully and unexpectedly change

your brain in positive ways when you intentionally di-

rect your attention.

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6

Stop Milkshake-Multitasking

Main Scripture: Dear friend, listen well to my words;

tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in

plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by

heart! Those who discover these words live, really

live; body and soul, they’re bursting with health.

Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where

life starts. Proverbs 4:20–23 Message

Linked Science Concept: Multitasking is a persistent

myth. Paying deep, focused attention to one task

at a time is the correct way.

One of the plagues of modern existence is multi-

tasking, which leads to the further plagues of “hurry

sickness” and obsessive time management. The truth

about multitasking is that it is a persistent myth. What we

really do is shift our attention rapidly from task to task, result-

ing in two bad things: (1) We don’t devote as much focused

attention as we should to a specific activity, task, or piece of

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HOW TO SWITCH ON YOUR BRAIN

information, and (2) we sacrifice the quality of our attention.

I call this “milkshake-multitasking.”

Multitasking Is a Persistent Myth

This poor focusing of attention and lack of quality in our

thought lives is the complete opposite of how the brain is

designed to function and causes a level of brain damage.

Every rapid, incomplete, and poor quality shift of thought

is like making a milkshake with your brain cells and neuro-

chemicals. This milkshake-multitasking, which is the truth

behind multitasking, creates patterns of flightiness and lack